Mees's Nightjar vs Antillean Nighthawk
Caprimulgus meesi compared with Chordeiles gundlachii
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Attribute | Mees's Nightjar | Antillean Nighthawk |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Caprimulgus meesi | Chordeiles gundlachii |
| Order | Caprimulgiformes | Caprimulgiformes |
| Family | Caprimulgidae | Caprimulgidae |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern | Least Concern |
| Length | — | — |
| Wingspan | 33.6 cm (13.2 in) | 34.2 cm (13.5 in) |
| Weight | 66.2 g (2.34 oz) | 56.05 g (1.98 oz) |
| Diet | Crepuscular and nocturnal aerial insectivore; pursues moths and flying beetles over grassland and woodland margins. | Catches flying insects in aerial sallies over Caribbean open country and coastal scrub at dusk. |
| Clutch Size | -- | 1-2 |
| Population Trend | — | — |
Habitat Comparison
Song & Call Comparison
Mees's Nightjar
Churring trill from Wallacean islands; repetitive hollow call; closely related to Large-tailed Nightjar; calls from coastal scrub and open woodland at dusk
Antillean Nighthawk
Distinctive 'kill-and-dee-dick' or 'killydee'; buzzy nasal call audible overhead; faster and shorter phrasing than Common Nighthawk; Caribbean accent clear
Geographic Range & Migration
Mees's Nightjar
Endemic to the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia, primarily Timor. Resident in lowland forest, open woodland, and savanna.
Antillean Nighthawk
Breeds in the Caribbean (Bahamas, Cuba, Cayman Islands, Jamaica) and Florida Keys; partially migratory within the Caribbean region.
Conservation Status
Mees's Nightjar
Antillean Nighthawk
How to Tell Them Apart
Mees's Nightjar
Brown-grey upperparts with blackish crown streaks and pale buff mottling; buff-white supercilium; white chin patch; underparts barred pale buff and brown; closely resembles Large-tailed Nightjar but marginally paler.
Antillean Nighthawk
Brown and buff mottled above with dark brown streaking; white throat patch in male; barred buff-white underparts; white wing bar across primaries; white tail band in male; female has buff …
About These Birds
Mees's Nightjar
A recently split nightjar (24-26 cm) from the Lesser Sunda Islands of Indonesia. Closely related to the Large-tailed Nightjar but with subtly different vocalizations and plumage tones. Nocturnal insectivore of lowland forests and forest edges.
Antillean Nighthawk
A small Caprimulgidae nighthawk (~56 g) of open scrub, savannas, and coastal habitats in the Caribbean from Cuba and Hispaniola to Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Very similar to the Common Nighthawk but separated by voice. Migratory; winters in South America. Aerial insectivore; Least Concern.